Industrial Applications
Suspended Sediment Concentration

LS 13 320 XR

Introduction

Sediment transport plays a central role in shaping river morphology, influencing reservoir siltation, and affecting ecological conditions. Accurate measurement of suspended sediment concentration (SSC) is therefore essential for flood forecasting, hydraulic engineering, and environmental management.

Suspended sediment concentration (SSC) measurement can be divided into traditional and modern methods. Traditional methods, involving sampling, filtration, drying, and weighing, are accurate but time-consuming, labor-intensive, and unable to provide continuous real-time data. Therefore, modern instruments such as photoelectric, ultrasonic, infrared, and isotope-based sensors have been applied with some success, but the accuracy of these instruments still falls short of standards, and some require station-specific rating curves or extensive data analysis before use, preventing large-scale application.

Industrial
Applications
Extreme Hydrological Conditions

DeepSizer 300

Introduction

Suspended sediment concentration (SSC) and particle size distribution (PSD) are vital indicators in hydrology, water resources, and ecological protection. During floods and typhoons, SSC can rise sharply, often exceeding 20 g/L. Such short-lived surges drive riverbed scour, reservoir siltation, and pollutant transport, posing risks to flood control, water supply, and ecosystem health. Capturing these events is therefore essential for flood forecasting and sustainable reservoir management.

However, traditional sampling methods are labor-intensive, unsafe during extreme weather, and too slow to capture short-term changes. Automated instruments such as turbidity sensors, acoustic devices, and conventional laser systems exist, but they often face challenges like limited measurement range or frequent maintenance.

In this application note, the DeepSizer 300 is presented as a tool for suspended sediment monitoring that provides accurate, real-time SSC and PSD data across wide ranges, including during flood and typhoon conditions.

Instrument

The DeepSizer 300 is equipped with a 635 nm, 10 mW polarized laser and 80 multi-angle detectors that capture both scattered and transmitted light signals. Its advanced software applies Differential Path Technology and Multiple Scattering Correction to ensure reliable results.

For practical applications, more advantages include:

• Wide measurement range: 0.001–100 g/L for SSC, 0.1–2000 µm for PSD.

• Adaptive path control: Automatically adapts to high, medium, or low sediment concentrations, ensuring accuracy under diverse conditions.

• Self-balancing hydraulic pressure: Automatically adjusts for external water pressure, ensuring stable optical path performance at depths up to 200 m.
• Automatic optical window cleaning: Maintains performance with minimal manual intervention.
• Flexible data transmission modes: Supports wired, wireless (4G), and offline modes, enabling adaptation to different monitoring environments.

Industrial
Applications
Pestiside Stability

Optimising Pesticide Suspension Grinding Process with BeScan Lab and Bettersizer 2600

With the growing emphasis on environmental protection requirements, water-based, eco-friendly suspension concentrates (SC) have become increasingly popular in modern agriculture thanks to their environmental benefits, safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. However, ensuring the stability of these suspensions remains a significant challenge, due to issues such as stratification, sedimentation, and particle aggregation. Grinding time, a crucial process parameter, directly influences particle size distribution and stability—short grinding times result in larger particles that are prone to sedimentation, while excessive grinding results in overly fine particles that compromise stability. Traditional stability testing methods, such as static observation and centrifugation, are slow, subjective, and lack real-time monitoring capabilities. This study employs the BeScan Lab stability analyzer and the Bettersizer 2600 particle size analyzer to quickly and accurately assess suspension stability and particle size, facilitating efficient product development and process optimisation.

Industrial
Applications
Ibuprofen Stability

Investigating the Stability of Ibuprofen using BeScan Lab

Ibuprofen suspension is a widely recognized pain reliever whose active pharmaceutical ingredients are evenly dispersed in the system. Suspension is a thermodynamically unstable system because of its high surface energy, but also a kinetic stable system due to the optimization of the formulation. As time goes on, flocculation, sedimentation, or phase separation may occur in the suspension, which leads to drug deterioration. To ensure the homogenization of the active ingredients, it is recommended to shake the ibuprofen suspension before dosing. Good stability after redispersion is a key to the high effectiveness of ibuprofen, demonstrating even distribution of active ingredients with external force after long-term storage.

Industrial
Applications
Electrose Slurry Stability

Stability Analysis of Electrode Slurries based on Static Multiple Light Scattering

The rapid growth of the new energy industry has increased the demand for high-performance batteries. Conventional batteries, such as lithium iron phosphate and ternary lithium batteries, are produced using electrode slurries, where the positive or negative active material is typically mixed with binders, additives, and solvents. Electrode slurries that are unstable may result in undesirable phenomena such as flocculation and sedimentation of active material particles, severely impacting the subsequent coating and calendering processes, as well as the overall battery performance. The stability of electrode slurry is affected by factors such as the composition and percentage of ingredients, the particle size and size distribution of the active material particles, the viscosity of the medium, and the mixing processes. An optimal formula can ensure the mechanical and conductive properties of the electrode slurry.

Industrial
Applications
Dispersing Agent – BeScan

Investigating the Effect of Dispersing Agent on the
Stability of Suspension Based on SMLS Technology

Suspension of titanium dioxide nanoparticles is widely used
in manufacturing ceramics, daily chemicals, pigments, and
optics. In most cases, nanoparticle suspensions are unstable
due to the high specific surface area and surface energy of
nanoparticles which leads to strong likelihood of particle
agglomeration and subsequent sedimentation. Dispersing
agents provide a viable solution to poor stability by adjusting
electrostatic potential or modifying steric hindrance.
Suspensions with high stability are beneficial to their final
performance because good dispersibility of nanoparticles
greatly improves effectiveness during application.

Industrial
Applications
Detergent BeScan Lab

Detergent – BeScan Lab

Surfactants, with their amphiphilic molecular structure, are
crucial in cleaning and emulsification due to their ability to
adsorb at water and other media interfaces. In cleaning
products, they are key for effective dirt removal. Surfactants
work by lowering water’s surface tension, enhancing its
wetting ability on surfaces, and preventing dirt from
redepositing. They also modify the wetting properties of
solid contaminants and use charge repulsion to aid in dirt
removal.

Industrial
Applications
Beer Foam – BeScan

Investigating Beer Foam using BeScan Lab

Beer foam generated by malt proteins, yeast, hops,
and carbon dioxide is considered a significant element
contributing to freshness and quality by beer connoisseurs,[1]
providing better flavor and aroma than those made by
ancient fermentation processes. The attractive look of
the beer foam also leaves a lasting first impression on
consumers. Foam quality can be characterized by many
properties, including its whiteness, bubble size, retention
time, strength, and viscosity, among which stability is a
dominant indicator.[2] The difference in beer stability can be
traced back to alcohol content, wort concentration, brewing
process, and packaging form

Industrial
Applications
3D Print Slurry

Using BeScan Lab for High-Efficiency Evaluation of Dispersant Effects on 3D Printing Slurry Stability

Zirconia (ZrO2) is vital in industries such as dentistry, medical implants, and electronics due to its excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility. 3D printing has expanded zirconia’s applications, especially in precision ceramic components, making high stability essential for high-quality printing.

Industrial Applications
Cosmetics

Comparison of Commercial Cosmetic Products
Using NMR Relaxation Measurements

Formulators working in the cosmetics and personal
care industries have numerous delivery vehicles
from which to choose when formulating skin
care products: emulsions, gels, sticks, mousses,
aerosols, and ointments all have specific benefits.
However, the emulsion is by far the most popular
because it offers almost unlimited versatility in
meeting the primary market objectives of efficacy,
aesthetics, and cost parameters.

As we will explore in this Application Note, nuclear
magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation is a technique
that is easy to employ, produces rapid results, and
requires limited input data. Importantly, because it does
not make any assumptions about the composition of the
formulation and requires little, or no, sample preparation
this makes it an ideal technique for measuring finished
commercial products.

Industrial Applications
Pigment Dispersions

Using NMR Relaxation as an Aid in Understanding
Formulation of Pigment Dispersions

In general, the composition of commercial
pigment dispersions – to produce, for
example, paints and inks – is complex and
typically comprises a fluid, a dispersant, a
polymeric resin and the pigment material. In
the preparation of aqueous dispersions, a
wetting agent may additionally be needed if
the pigment materials are hydrophobic.

NMR spectroscopy is one of the most
powerful analytical tools used to probe
details of the structure and dynamics of
molecules. Traditional devices employing
NMR technology require very high magnetic
fields and, hence, very large magnets and
related instrumentation. However, the
advent of small powerful magnets has
allowed instruments – such as the Mageleka
MagnoMeter XRS™ – to be designed that
have small footprints and are suited to
normal, routine laboratory analysis.

Industrial Applications
API Solution

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients in AIDS Drugs: Using NMR
Relaxation to Determine the Wetted Surface Area of Suspensions

Reducing the particle size of materials
possessing poor solubility characteristics
can be an avenue to substantially
increasing the total surface area of the
material. This concept can be illustrated
when formulating drug products that contain
active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
A larger surface area allows for much
faster dissolution of APIs and, thereby, an
increase in bioavailability, regardless of the
route of administration. This is of obvious
importance in manufacturing because low
active bioavailability of drugs can lead to
inefficient treatment and risk of toxic side
effects. Any increase in efficacy can reduce
the potential toxicity because less drug
substance is needed, which also serves
to reduce costs. There is also a growing
body of evidence that, specifically with
nanoparticulate API materials, it is the
particle surface area and not particle size
that is the defining metric that controls
toxicological interaction. This explains
the recent drive to develop reformulations
based on nanotechnology.

So, what technique can make fast, reliable,
direct measurements of wetted surface
area in any suspension and, particularly,
nanosize API dispersions? Nuclear magnetic
resonance (NMR) relaxation, which is the
basis for Mageleka’s MagnoMeter XRS™,
can directly measure the wetted surface
area of any particulate suspension.

Industrial Applications
Ink-jet pigment

Dispersions of Ink-Jet Pigments: Using NMR Relaxation Measurements
as a Quality Control Too

The application performance of any pigment
is determined by its nature, including how it
was manufactured, and the level of dispersion
achieved in formulation. The most important
physical properties include particle size and
wetted surface area. The finer the particle size,
the more intense will be the color; the greater
the surface area, the greater will be the extent
and uniformity of surface coating. For industries
that must produce products with reliably
consistent colors, measuring particle size and
wetted surface area quickly and easily will aid
in more efficient formulation and help to reduce
production costs.

So, what technique can make fast, reliable,
direct measurements of wetted surface area
in any suspension and, particularly, nanosize
pigment dispersions? Nuclear magnetic
resonance (NMR) relaxation, which is the
basis for Mageleka’s MagnoMeter XRS™, can
directly measure the wetted surface area of any
particulate suspension.

Industrial Applications
Raw Materials

Using NMR Relaxation Measurements for Quality Control
of Incoming Materials used in Formulation of Products

The preparation of any suspension or slurry
comprising a powder material in a liquid, be it
for “blue sky” experimental R&D purposes or
in the pre-formulation of a commercial product,
will always start with a solid and a liquid.
Unfortunately raw materials are never 100%
pure, and this is true even for National Formulary
(pharmaceutical)
grade
material. Indeed,
industrial material can contain as little as 80%
of the active component, as a cursory glance at
the typical Material Safety Data Sheet and the
Technical Data Sheet, always supplied with the
material, will attest to! In all cases, the type and
level of impurities depends on the source of the
material and any subsequent processing.

NMR spectroscopy is one of the most powerful
analytical tools used to probe details of molecular
structure and dynamics. Devices employing NMR
technology require very high magnetic fields and,
hence, very large magnets. However, the advent
of small powerful magnets has allowed low-field
instruments, such as the Mageleka MagnoMeter
XRS™ Relaxometer, to be designed that have
small footprints and so are suited to normal,
routine laboratory analysis.

Industrial Applications
Diamond Abrasives

Particle Shape Analysis of Diamond Abrasives

Finely cut diamond abrasive is utilized in the manufacture of
industrial drills, grinding wheels and discs, dental instruments and
lapidary apparatus. The grinding tools are subsequently
implemented in the production of steels, alloys, ceramics, glass,
granite and other materials. Two sizes, or grits, of abrasive were
examined here. A regular raw image of particles from both samples
is presented below.

Industrial Applications
Abrasive Powders

Particle Shape Analysis of Abrasive Powders

Abrasive powders are utilized in several commonplace functions. They comprise the particles utilized for polishing
teeth, constitute abrasive polishes to make high end automotive finishes shine, and even form the sandpaper a
carpenter implements on a daily basis. Each of these powders are engineered to remove material, with some more
aggressive in removal than others. Typically, the abrasiveness of particles is known as the “grit” of the powder.

Industrial Applications
Portland Cement

Particle Shape Analysis of Portland Cement

Portland cement is a controlled chemical mixture, comprising calcium, silicon, aluminum, iron and low quantities
of other components. The mixture is combined with gypsum in the final grinding process to modulate the setting
time. Lime and silica constitute around 85% of the mass. Limestone, shells, chalk combined with shale, clay, slate
or blast furnace slag, silica sand, and iron ore are common materials implemented in its production.

Industrial Applications
Toner Powder

Particle Shape Analysis of Toner powder for laser printers

Toner powder used by laser printers and photocopiers is a hybrid of carbon and a polymer. The actual polymer
utilized differs according to producer, while toner formulations differ between producers, and even between
machines. Granule size is a key means of differentiating each formulation.

Industrial Applications
Glass Fibre

Particle Shape Analysis of Long Glass Fibers

This article analyses some large, long glass fibers by applying some of the features and comparisons of the
Pi Sentinel PRO. Running the glass fibers involves 34,000 particles and ends up with 32 different histograms. There
are many different shape parameters of the Pi Sentinel PRO, including circular measures and rectangular measures,
of which not all of them always apply.

Industrial Applications
Coal Powder

Particle Shape Analysis of Coal Powder

This article describes how the Pi Sentinel PRO can be used to analyse a coal sample by looking at all the different shape
measures. It can be used to obtain many histograms of factors like Size, Circularity and Smoothness. The software has
a diagnostic tool that has these shape test images.

Industrial Applications
Yeast Monitoring

Monitoring Yeast During the Beer Brewing Process

Yeast levels in pitch tanks for craft beers are typically in the 1B/ml plus range. Therefore a protocol that minimizes steps, errors introduced during pipette steps and minimizes cost to craft breweries is detailed in this SOP.

Industrial Applications
Yeast Monitoring

Monitoring yeast counts, visability and metabolic activity in brewing with Orflo’s Moxi GO II

At the core of the brewing process is the conversion of sugar into alcohol by yeast. Beyond the initial selection of the yeast strain, the understanding of the shifting characteristics of the yeast in the wort, relative to the constant-changing environmental conditions, is critical. At a bare minimum brewqers need to maintain proper concentrations of yeast throughout the process by adding or “pitching”, yeast at various timepoints. The Moxi GO II is ideally and uniquely suited to enabling yeast monitoring in brewing.

Industrial Applications
Cohesive Powders

The effects of caking on the dynamic flow of cohesive powders

Caking or the bonding of particles due to inter-particle cohesion has a huge effect on the behavior of
powders. Strong bonds between particles can prevent materials from exiting silos and storage
containers. However, under dynamic conditions, caking can actually improve the flow properties of the
material. Caking in powders occurs in two ways. Under static conditions as in storage containers and
silos, caking occurs due to particles being pressed together by the force of gravity acting on a column
of material or by external forces. Generally the stronger the forces acting on the material the stronger
the bonds between cohesive particles. Under dynamic conditions, caking occurs due to particles
smashing together as they flow. This type of caking is also referred to as agglomeration, clumping or
granulation. Dynamic conditions are defined as situations where a powder is moving under the
influence of gravity or by mechanical convection. In industry, powders are typically stored under static
conditions but are used under dynamic conditions. Therefore, the characteristics of the material after
storage under static conditions as well as the stability of the material under dynamic conditions are
critical to the successful use of the material. In this study, the effects of caking under static and
dynamic conditions on the dynamic flow characteristics of powders are analyzed. Powders with
different degrees of inter-particle cohesion are studied using uni-axial compression to simulate static
conditions and a rotating drum to simulate dynamic conditions. The assessment of the inter-particle
cohesion of the material is achieved by measuring the unconfined yield strength of the material after a
consolidating stress has been applied. It is found that caking due to inter-particle cohesion under both
static and dynamic conditions directly affects the dynamic flow characteristics of powders and also can
create instabilities in these characteristics as the materials are subjected to dynamic forces. The
dynamic flow characteristics measured include avalanche energy and dynamic density. It is also found
that the level of caking in a powder can be assessed by measuring the changes in its dynamic flow
characteristics before and after exposure to static and dynamic conditions.

Industrial Applications
Static Charge

Testing Powders for Additive Manufacturing Applications

The Revolution Powder Analyser has been used extensively to test the flow properties of metal and
polymer powders used for additive manufacturing applications. The tests that have been proven to be
suited to additive manufacturing applications include the flowability test, the packing test, the multi
flow test, caking test,and the electrical charge analysis.

Industrial Applications
Additive Manufacturing

Testing Powders for Additive Manufacturing Applications

The Revolution Powder Analyzer has been used extensively to test the flow properties of metal and
polymer powders used for additive manufacturing applications. The tests that have been proven to be
suited to additive manufacturing applications include the flowability test, the packing test, the multi
flow test, caking test,and the electrical charge analysis.

Industrial Applications
Evolution v’s Yield Strength Tests

The Evolution Powder Tester versus traditional yield strength tests

The Evolution Powder Tester is designed to measure the unconfined yield strength of powders and
granular materials quickly, accurately, and repeatably. The heart of the design is the analysis cell

Industrial Applications
Evolution v’s Shear Testers

The Evolution Powder Tester compared to Shear Testers

The Evolution Powder Tester is used to compare the behaviour of materials under consolidated load. The
only other instruments available for this type of test are powder shear testers. The Evolution was
designed specifically as an alternative to shear testers for many reasons, download the full paper to the right:

Industrial Applications
ASTM Committee B09 Workshop

ASTM COMMITTEE
B09 WORKSHOP
ON POWDER
CHARACTERIZATION

New powder characterisation tests such as the rotating drum and the
Freeman FT4 rheometer have been introduced in recent years. These instruments have yet to be standardized for use with metal powders. Greg Martiska,
Mercury Scientific Inc., presented the results of testing with the Revolution
Powder Analyser and Joe Tauber, Kennametal Inc., presented data from testing with a Granudrum. The third workshop participant was Tim Freeman,
Freeman Technology, a Micromeritics company. He presented the test results
obtained using the FT4 rheometer.

Industrial Applications
Granular Material

Testing Powder and Granular Material Behavior

Mercury Scientific has developed testing proceedures to study the flow properties of powders and
granular materials. These proceedures allow users of Mercury Scientific instruments to measure all
aspects of the flow behavior of their materials. The data produced by these tests is useful for
formulating powders, predicting powder behavior and quantifying powder quality.

Industrial Applications
Unconfined Yield Strength

Unconfined Yield Strength and the Flow of Powders and Granular Material

Powders and granular materials are made up of freely moving particles and air. For powders, the
particles are small, ranging in size from nanometers to microns. For granular materials, the particles are
typically in the millimeter size range. Because they are made up of freely moving particles and air,
powders and granular materials exhibit properties of both solids and liquids. Under certain conditions,
they may behave more like liquids and flow easily. Under other conditions, they may behave more like
solids and not flow at all or even become solid. In order to understand their behaviour, it is necessary to
measure how powders and granular materials behave under different conditions.

Industrial Applications
Spreadability of AM Powders

Identifying, quantifying, and determining the root causes of specific spreadability issues with AM
powders

Powders used in the AM industry either they spread well or they do not. Poor powder spreading is due to
specific issues with the powder or printer parameters. Therefore, the specific spreadability issues must be
identified and quantified so that the root cause of the issue can be determined and corrected. Data is
presented in identifying and quantifying various spreadability issues including low layer density, low
layer thickness, non-uniform layer coverage, channeling, and layer waviness. The root causes of these
issues are determined, and corrective actions are presented.

Industrial Applications
Caking and Agglomeration Testing

Pressure-Temperature-Humidity-Time

Powders and granular materials are unique in terms of
industrial materials in that they can remember their stress
and environmental history. In other words, a powder can
change depending on how it is handled and stored. For
example, if a powder is stored in an industrial tote
containing a 1 ton mass, the gas in the powder will be
removed (compressibility) and the powder particles may
form large particles (agglomerates) due to the pressure
acting on the particles. If stored long enough in this way,
the powder may actually become a solid (caking). When the
pressure is removed, the powder may or may not go back to
its original condition before storage.

Industrial
Applications
Soils LS 13 320 XR

A comparison of the spreadability and flowability of metal powders for AM applications

The ability of a powder to form a consistent layer in an additive manufacturing (AM) machine is critical to producing high quality parts. This ability is referred to as powder spreadability. There are many official and unofficial definitions of powder spreadability but there is no consensus on how to test it. Many machines have various in situ techniques for analyzing powder layer formation, but these techniques are more for process monitoring than predictive testing. Several tests and test devices have been proposed.1-4 These include test beds that automatically spread a test powder, and manual spreading devices. Typically the measurement performed is an optical analysis of the top surface of the powder layer. In some cases, the density of the layer is measured by weighing the powder and calculating the spread layer volume.

Industrial Applications
Metal Powders

Evaluating the spreadability of metal powders for additive manufacturing applications using a
SpreadStation Powder Analyser

The spreadability of several metal powders manufactured for additive manufacturing applications is
measured for a range of layer thicknesses under different application conditions including a range of
spreading speeds, different spreader geometries, a range of powder feeding geometries and spreader
application pressures and different environmental conditions. The powder spreadability analyzer used for
the measurements is a new instrument commercially produced by Mercury Scientific Inc. Data presented
include spreading efficiency, mass per spreader travel and spreading uniformity per spreader travel.

Industrial Applications
Segregation and Humidity

Evaluating the sensitivity of virgin and recycled Additive Manufacturing powders to segregation and humidity

Powders can change their flow properties as they are handled and used. They also can become more
sensitive to segregation on handling and environmental conditions. This means that a powder that has
been used or recycled may change its behaviour due to handling and environmental exposure more than
virgin material. This behaviour is evaluated by testing the flow properties of virgin and used Additive Manufacturing powders
with the Revolution Powder Analyser before and after exposure to segregation pressure and different
environmental conditions.

Industrial Applications
Additive Manufacturing

Revolution measurements for Additive Manufacturing

Rotating drum rheometers have been widely used to study powders for Additive Manufacturing applications for over 15 years and powders in general for roughly 40 years. The concept of studying powder flow behaviour in a
rotating cylinder or “drum” was presented in Kaye et al in 1995. Powder was placed in a clear
cylinder with a light source in front of it. An array of photocells was places behind the cylinder. The
cylinder or drum was rotated, and the sample powder would prevent or allow light from light source to
reach the photocells. In this way, the avalanching behaviour of the powder could be studied. This concept
was commercialised under the name Aero-Flow in 1996 by Amherst Process Instruments. As a result of
this detection method, the Aero-Flow could only measure the time between avalanches.

The best detection method to study powder in a rotating drum is naturally a digital imaging device.
However, in the 1990’s digital imaging devices and processing systems were expensive, and the time
required to analyse a single image was roughly 20 to 30 seconds. This situation changed rapidly at the
end of the 1990’s with increases in computer processing speed and development of inexpensive digital
imaging devices. A commercial instrument using a digital camera to image the powder in the drum was
developed by Mercury Scientific Inc. in 2002 and was commercialised under the name Revolution
Powder Analyser.

Industrial Application
Coffee Creamer Powder

Zeta Potential Measurement of Powdered Coffee Creamer Using the BeNano 90 Zeta

Zeta potential is a scientific term for electrokinetic potential in colloidal dispersions. One of the factors to affect the zeta potential values is the chemical composition at the particle surface, and the solution environment in which the particles are dispersed. In this application note, the relation between the zeta potential and pH is investigated by measuring the zeta potentials of a commercially available powdered coffee creamer in different pH environments.

Industrial Application
Pigment

Particle Size measurement of High-concentration Pigment Samples with DLS Technology

The particle sizes of high concentration pigments (red and yellow samples) had been characterized successfully by the DLS technology of the BeNano 90 Zeta. Using the capillary sizing cell compatible with the BeNano 90 Zeta, even samples with high concentrations and low transmittance can be analyzed to yield reliable and accurate results.

Industrial Application
Iron Dextran

Characterising Iron Dextran Preparation with the BeNano 90

In this application note, the BeNano 90 was used to characterize two iron dextran injections, a commercially available one and a R&D stage one. Size differences were successfully distinguished, and the presence of aggregates in the R&D sample was ascertained. With regards to the injection preparations, particular attention needs to be paid to the formation of aggregates, due to their significant effect on the drug stability, efficacy, and immune response. Hence, the BeNano 90 with its excellent sensitivity for aggregates or large particles will be extremely useful and convenient as a research tool for injection preparation.

Industrial Application
Alumina Abrasive

Determining the Size and Zeta Potential of Alumina Abrasive

The BeNano 90 Zeta was employed successfully to determine the size and zeta potential of nano alumina dispersed in the aqueous environment. The measurement results suggest that the nano alumina is close to monodisperse in size and possesses high stability with the zeta potential amplitude over 30 mV.

Industrial Applications
Thermal Sensitive Hydrogel

Characterising PNIPAm Thermal Sensitive Hydrogel

In this application note, a thermosensitive PNIPAm sample is characterised by automatic measurements of the particle sizes and zeta potentials under the programmed temperature change process of the BeNano. The PNIPAm measured exhibits similar behaviour with the reported results from most literature. The temperature trend measurement of the BeNano can significantly improve the measurement efficiency and provide a robust and powerful testing tool for such applications.

Industrial Application
Titanium Oxide

Using the BAT-1 autotitrator to measure the zeta potentials of TiO2 at different pH

This study shows the measurement of zeta potentials of titanium dioxide (TiO2) at different pH levels using the BAT-1 autotitrator. Zeta potential, which depends on the chemical composition and environment, can vary with pH. The TiO2 powder was dispersed in water and subjected to automatic titration with HCl from pH 5.4 to 2 using the BAT-1 autotitrator. Results showed that the zeta potential of TiO2 was positive at low pH, approached zero at pH 3.5 (isoelectric point), and gradually became negative with increasing pH. The BeNano with PALS technique provided accurate and repeatable zeta potential measurements, simplifying the process and improving efficiency.

Industrial Applications
Aluminium Oxide

Using the BAT-1 autotitrator to measure the zeta potentials of Al2O3 at different pH

The use of alumina (Al2O3) as a versatile material has prompted research on its stability under different surface modifications. Zeta potential, which depends on the chemical composition and pH of the medium, is an important parameter to assess stability. The BAT-1 autotitrator and BeNano analyzer were employed to measure the zeta potential of Al2O3 particles at different pH levels. The results indicated that the isoelectric point of the Al2O3 system was at pH 6.8, with lower zeta potential magnitudes suggesting instability near this point. Higher pH levels (10-12) exhibited higher zeta potential magnitudes and greater system stability due to stronger electrostatic forces.

Industrial Applications
Battery Electrode Slurry

Determining the Average Zeta Potential and Distribution of Battery Electrode Slurry

This application note presents a study on determining the zeta potential of battery electrode slurry dispersed in NMP solvent. The experiment utilized the BeNano to measure the zeta potential of four different samples. The results showed that all samples had negative zeta potentials, indicating the presence of negative charges in the electrode materials. The zeta potential amplitudes were around 50 mV, indicating high stability. The study highlights the importance of understanding zeta potential for optimizing battery electrode production and emphasizes the reliability of the measurements.

Industrial
Applications
Paint

Acrylic and oil-based
paint rheology

Water-based and solvent coatings have significant various
rheological behavior and the analysis of their flow curve in
function of shear rate variation enables to perfectly adjust their
formulation in order that user has the same easy of use
and also to limit the flowing too.

Industrial
Applications
Gel Bloom Test

Bloom test or determination of gel force

Gel power measurement by compression test or Bloom
value enables to quantify strength of gels, simply with a
perfectly defined method, according European
pharmacopeia.

Industrial
Applications
Toothpaste

Determination of dentifrice extruding force

Determination of the actuation force is needed to ensure
the correct properties of the tube and a correct
formulation for the toothpaste.

Industrial
Applications
Body Cream

Elasticity, consistency and adhesion of different body cream

The determination of elasticity, consistency and
adhesion for a cream is primordial in order to obtain the
optimum texture for the targeted body area.

Industrial
Applications
Deodorant

Firmness determination of two different deodorants (24h/72h)

Cylindrical probes are used to make penetration test on
hard samples such as deodorant sticks. Doing this, we
can determine the firmness of the stick.

Industrial
Applications
Shampoo Consistency

Back extrusion for shampoo characterisation

The disc plunger performs a compression test which
extrudes the product up and around the edge of the disc.
This test measures the consistency of viscous products,
like shampoo.

Industrial
Applications
Hair Gel

Elasticity, consistency and stickiness of different hair
styling gel from the same manufacturer.

Compression-relaxation-traction test also known as
CRT test is used to determine the elasticity, the
consistency and the stickiness of soft sample.
Knowing theses parameters, it becomes possible to
determine the firmness, the cohesion and the
threading nature of the products.

Industrial
Applications
Syringes

Actuation force determination for different medical syringes

The compression test used allows us to assess the
actuation force needed to push liquid outside the
syringe. Thanks to the adjustable workbench, it can
be used for syringes with a diameter between
0.9cm and 2.9cm in diameter.

Industrial
Applications
Shampoo

Rheology of “Baby”
and “Adult” Shampoo

Cosmetic products have different rheological behaviours
depending on how they were formulated and on their use.
A comparison of two different shampoos, i.e. Baby and Adult as
in this example, is characteristic of this

Industrial
Applications
Pharmaceutical Gels

Bloom test or determination of gel force

Gel power measurement by compression test or Bloom
value enables to quantify strength of gels, simply with a
perfectly defined method, according European
pharmacopeia.

Industrial
Applications
Resins

Kinetics viscosity /
Temperature on resins

Measuring the changes in resins’ dynamic viscosity over a range
of temperatures from 70 to 105°C and comparing them.

Industrial Applications
Wall Coating

Viscosity measure
of wall filler

Measuring the viscosity of wall filler is often difficult: either
the filler is too viscous for the instrument being used, or the
geometry compounds the product during measurement. We
have introduced a simple and effective technical solution for this
application

Industrial
Applications
Chocolate

Chocolate bar bending resistance

The 3 points bending fixture is used to determine the
rigidity properties of hard products such as chocolate
bar.

Industrial
Applications
Melted Chocolate

Chocolate rheology according
to the IOCC standard

This measuring Method enables to find Plastic Viscosity and Yield
Value on chocolate samples at 40°C, according OICC
standard.

Industrial
Applications
Soft Bread

Softness measurement in different types of bread

A compression-relaxation test is used to determine the
softness in different types of bread. It also can measure
elasticity of bread.

Industrial
Applications
Mayonnaise

Elasticity, consistency and adhesion of mayonnaise (low-fat vs full-fat)

Two similar products such as low-fat and full-fat
mayonnaise should have similar texture. That’s why the
determination of elasticity, consistency and adhesion is
primordial.

Industrial
Applications
Gummybear

Softness and elasticity measurement in soft candy

A compression-relaxation test is used to determine the
softness and elasticity in different soft candy.

Industrial
Applications
Marshmallow

Softness and elasticity measurement of marshmallow

The Ottawa piston can be used to perform compression
(or compression-relaxation) on large sample. A
compression-relaxation test is used to determine the
softness and elasticity in different soft candy.

Industrial
Applications
Sweetcorn

Bulk firmness of different corn brands

Kramer cell is used for the analysis of multi-particle
products such as corn, olives or peas. During the test,
thanks to the design of the cell, there is a combination of
compression, shearing and extrusion.

Industrial
Applications
Apples

Freshness of different fresh products such as apples

Cylindrical probes are used to make penetration test.
Those tests allow us to determine the freshness of the
products by linking firmness to freshness.

Industrial
Applications
Raspberries

Texture analysis of two types of raspberry (thawed vs fresh)

Kramer cell is used for the analysis of multi-particle
products such as raspberry, corn, olives or peas. During
the test, thanks to the design of the cell, there is a
combination of compression, shearing and extrusion.

Industrial
Applications
Crisps

Resistance test of two different potato crisps brand

The T probe is used to determine the rigidity properties
of solid brittle products such as chips (premium vs low
cost).

Industrial
Applications
Yoghurt Consistency

Consistency of two types of yogurts (0% vs normal)

Mesh probe is used here to measure the consistency of
2 different kinds of fruits yogurts. Using a compression
test, it can quantify the consistency of products but also
the presence of fruits inside.

Industrial
Applications
Jelly

Determination of gel force

Gel power measurement by compression test or Bloom
value enables to quantify strength of gels, simply with a
perfectly defined method, according European
pharmacopeia.

Industrial
Applications
Filled Biscuits

Texture analysis of chocolate filled biscuit

The 3 points bending fixture is used to determine the
rigidity properties of hard products such as chocolate
filled biscuit.

Industrial
Applications
Sliced Cheese

Sliced cheese puncture resistanc

The Warner-Bratzler cell can be used to determine the
resistance of sliced cheese towards blade penetration.

Industrial
Applications
Cat Biscuits

Crispness measurement in different types of cat snacks

The usage of a knife probe allows us to cut through hard
samples such as cat snacks. The required cutting force
is one of the main parameters in preparation of dry food.

Industrial
Applications
Biscuits

Flexion resistance of 3 different types of shortbreads

The 3 points bending fixture is used to determine the
rigidity properties of hard products such as shortbreads
(premium vs low-cost vs gluten-free).

Industrial
Applications
Feta Cheese

Firmness measurement of block products such as feta cheese

A compression test is used to quantify firmness of block
forms products such as butter, margarine or cheese with
the aid of a thin wire.

Industrial
Applications
Cereal Bars

Bending measurement of soft-solid like cereals bars

The 3 points bending fixture can be used to determine
the rigidity properties of soft-solid products such as
cereal bar.

Industrial
Applications
Rusk

Bending resistance of gluten-free rusk versus wheat rusk

The 3 points bending fixture is used to determine the
rigidity properties of hard products such as rusk (wheat
or gluten-free).

Industrial
Applications
Sausage Firmness

Sausages firmness determination using Warner-Bratzler cell

Sausages are placed on the Warner-Bratzler base plate.
The cut inside it allows the blade to cut through samples
without trouble. Three different types of sausage are
used: pork, chicken and vegetable (wheat and peas). A
21mm compression test allows the blade to cut the
entire sausages.

Industrial
Applications
Yoghurt

Yoghurt Texture using RM200

Non-blended set yoghurt has a gelified texture
at rest which can be a problem during viscosity
measurements using cylindrical spindles.

This study shows the impact of choosing a
measuring system to analyse such a product.

Industrial
Applications
Packing Materials

Uniformity of Particle Shape for Chromatography Packing Materials
used in HPLC.

High Performance Liquid Chromatography (or High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography) is a separation technique used
in many areas of analytical chemistry to separate, identify, and qualify various compounds in a specific solution. HPLC
utilizes a column that holds chromatographic packing material that retains molecules as they are pumped through the
column, the retention time being dependent on the packing material, the carrier liquid (solvent), and the specific type
molecule. Each chemical species in the injected sample is most identified by UV and Mass Spec detection. Most
traditional analytical HPLC packing materials have an average diameter of approximately 2 to 30 microns and are
typically a silica-based or alumina-based material. The particle size of the packing material is usually measured using
methods that assume all particles are uniformly spherical. This may not be the case, as in manufacture of the silica
and bonding, fines and irregular shaped particles can be a percentage of the final product. As particle size decreases,
the effect of fines and irregular shaped particles demands a greater degree of control on incoming quality of the silica
material. Variation in particle shape can directly affect reproducible performance.